The problem is usually not falling asleep
People book about sleep and then describe something more specific. Waking at three and lying there. Sleeping seven hours and feeling like they slept four. Falling asleep on the sofa at nine and being wide awake at eleven. These are different problems and they are worth naming in the consultation, because they change where I spend the time.
What they tend to share is a nervous system that has not been given a reason to stand down. That is the part reflexology can work with.
Which reflex points a sleep session works
The head and brain reflex covers the whole pad of the big toe, and it is where a sleep-focused session usually starts. The solar plexus point sits in the centre of the foot where the ball meets the arch; sustained pressure is held there rather than worked in strokes. The neck reflex runs as a narrow band across the base of all five toes, and it matters more than people expect — a lot of poor sleep travels up from the shoulders.
The work is deliberately slow. A session aiming at sleep is not the same as a session aiming at energy, even though the map is identical.
What to expect on the night
Most clients sleep unusually well the night of a treatment. That much is close to reliable and is the single most common piece of feedback I get. Whether it holds over the following nights varies a great deal between people, which is why I suggest booking one session and paying attention rather than buying a block.
A small number of people feel wired rather than sleepy immediately afterwards. It passes within a couple of hours and it is worth knowing in advance so it does not worry you.
What to do differently around the appointment
Book an evening slot if the option suits you, though it is not essential. Drink water afterwards. Do not go straight from the treatment room into two hours of email — the point is to let the state last a while rather than override it immediately.
Beyond that, nothing. You do not need to prepare, change your diet, or do anything at home for this to be worth your time.
When sleep needs more than a complementary therapy
Reflexology does not diagnose or treat sleep disorders. If you are dealing with sustained insomnia, sleep apnoea, or exhaustion that does not lift with rest, please see your GP — those need proper assessment and reflexology is not a substitute for it.
For the very common situation of a busy mind, an over-full week and sleep that has quietly degraded, an hour of dedicated stillness is a reasonable place to start.